Flying Saucer Digest - No 103 - 1988

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER
Issue: NO. 103
Volume: FALL 88
Publisher: UNITED AERIAL PHENOMENA AGENCY (UAPA)
Date: Fall 1988

This issue of FLYING SAUCER DIGEST, published by the United Aerial Phenomena Agency (UAPA), marks the 25th anniversary of the National UFO Conference (NUFOC). The cover features artwork by Ron Pelger depicting a man pointing in terror at a flying saucer.

Welcome to the NUFOC

The UAPA and FLYING SAUCER DIGEST welcome attendees to the 25th Annual National UFO Conference (NUFOC). Allan J. Manak and Rick R. Hilberg, involved since the NUFOC's inception in 1964, and Robert S. Easley, who joined in 1966, express gratitude for being part of this significant event. The NUFOC has met in various cities but considers Cleveland its 'home,' having been founded there in 1964. It is highlighted as the longest-running annual UFO conference globally. The editors express hope that attendees enjoy the conference, acknowledging the hard work involved in its organization.

From the Editor

Robert S. Easley reflects on the 25th anniversary, noting that while it's a time for joy and renewing friendships, it's also a time to remember departed colleagues. He specifically mentions Jack and Mary Robinson and Gray Barker, whose friendships are deeply missed. He states that these individuals will remain in their thoughts and in the spirit of UFO research.

Good Reading

Two publications are recommended: "The Gate," edited by Beth Robbins, for its articles on UFOs and Fortean happenings, and "UFO Universe," a bi-monthly magazine edited by Timothy Green Beckley, featuring articles by prominent UFO researchers like Stanton Friedman and John Keel.

UAPA Publication

The UAPA has released a new booklet titled "UFOs: 1947 - 1987," which compiles the three best sightings from each year over a forty-year span. It is available for $1.00.

Publisher Information

The FLYING SAUCER DIGEST is published quarterly by the UAPA, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of UFOs and associated phenomena. Allan J. Manak is Chairman, Robert S. Easley is Editor, and Rick R. Hilberg is Assistant Editor. Correspondence should be addressed to UAPA, P. O. Box 347032, Cleveland, Ohio, 44134-7032.

About This Cover

The cover art by Ron Pelger is described as outstanding, capturing a man's look of fear as he points to a UFO, possibly warning delegates of a 'BS Session' or urging them to see the UFO.

About Next Issue

The Winter 1988 issue promises surprises. Subscribers are encouraged to renew to ensure they don't miss any issues. Subscription rates are $5.00 for four issues (one year) and $9.00 for eight issues (two years).

News Update

Compiled by Robert S. Easley, this section covers several scientific and astronomical developments:

• Pluto's Atmosphere: James L. Elliot of MIT confirms Pluto has an atmosphere, likely composed of methane, molecular nitrogen, and possibly argon, with temperatures near absolute zero.
• Uranus's Composition: Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have confirmed Uranus is a highly pressurized combination of hydrogen, helium, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen, with a magnetic field twice that of Earth's.
• Exoplanet Discovery: U.S. and Canadian astronomers have discovered 10 planet-like objects orbiting distant stars, intensifying speculation about extraterrestrial life. One notable discovery is a potential planet 20 times the size of Jupiter orbiting Star HD 114762.
• SETI Project: NASA is planning a sophisticated electronic search for extraterrestrial life, a $90 million, 10-year project to scan millions of radio frequencies. Michael J. Klein of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory stated the search could begin as early as 1992 and be fully operational by 1993 or 1994. The project will utilize radio telescopes in Goldstone, California; Canberra, Australia; and Madrid, Spain. Frank Drake noted that Earth's accumulated TV signals make it 10 million times 'brighter' than the sun to potential alien observers. He also discussed the possibility of detecting signals from advanced civilizations and the challenge of the vast distances involved.
• Greenhouse Effect: Climate researchers warn that the 'greenhouse effect' warming the Earth is inevitable, even with drastic reductions in greenhouse gases. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported a 25% increase in global carbon dioxide concentrations since the mid-1800s.

Manak's Notebook: Where Do UFOs Come From?

Allan J. Manak addresses the perennial question of UFO origins. He dismisses earlier theories that UFOs came from Mars or Venus, as no planet in our solar system is known to support life. He also debunks the idea of Earth-based UFOs originating from the Arctic or Antarctic, and the persistent theory of Hitler escaping to Argentina with newly invented flying saucers. Another discarded theory suggests UFOs originate from Earth's interior via holes at the North and South Pole. Manak concludes that the question of UFO origins remains unanswered, suggesting that perhaps humanity is not intelligent enough to understand the answer, or that the question itself is what keeps UFOlogists engaged.

Guest Article: UFOs - Science in Default (Again)

By Richard P. Dell'Aquila, this article critiques the scientific community's approach to UFO phenomena. Dell'Aquila argues that science has unfairly stigmatized UFOs, attributing sightings to prosaic explanations without objective investigation. He contends that this 'dogmatic scientific skepticism' creates a 'credibility gap,' leading the public to seek their own answers. He criticizes the government and military for their negative stances, which have tainted the subject. Dell'Aquila asserts that despite debunking efforts, public interest in UFOlogy remains high, indicating a public demand for honest investigation. He concludes that the UFO phenomenon presents an opportunity for advancing understanding of the universe and that the lack of objective scientific study is a loss for scientific curiosity and advancement.

Around and About the Saucer World

Classic Disc Sighted in Minnesota: On January 15th, Debbie Plonsky of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, reported seeing a glowing fluorescent pink 'something' shaped like a cartoon spaceship with a cap on top. Her five-year-old daughter also witnessed the event.

The 25th Annual National UFO Conference Silver Anniversary Program

This section details the agenda for the conference, including afternoon and evening sessions with various speakers and topics. It also provides brief biographies of the speakers:

• Lawrence Blazey: UFO researcher, artist, and painter.
• John P. Timmerman: UFO researcher, Vice President of Public Relations for the J. Allen Hynek Center For UFO Studies.
• Edward M. Biebel, Jr.: Assistant State Director of Southern Arizona for MUFON.
• Timothy Green Beckley: Editor of "UFO Universe."
• Thomas Benson: State Section Director for New Jersey, Editor of "The Sixth Quark Journal."
• Ron Schaffner: Known for interest in Bigfoot and creatures, Editor of "Creature Chronicles."
• Antonio Huneeus: UFO investigator, MUFON's Continental Coordinator for South America.
• James W. Moseley: "Dean of UFOlogy," active since the 1950s, respected in archaeology and pre-Columbian Antiquities, editor of "Saucer Smear."
• Richard P. Dell'Aquila: Attorney, State Section Director for MUFON, investigator of Lake Erie sightings.
• Dr. Willy Smith: Colleague of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, prime mover behind the UFO UNICAT Project.

A list of previous NUFOC conventions from 1964 to 1987 is also provided, detailing the dates and locations of each conference.

Robert Loftin Award as "Ufologist of the Year"

This award, named after the late Robert Loftin, is voted on by the Permanent Organizing Committee of the National UFO Conference and is not awarded every year. A list of recipients from 1967 to 1987 is included, with notable names like John A. Keel, Gray Barker, Stanton T. Friedman, and James W. Moseley.

National UFO Conference Honor Roll

This roll honors UFOlogists who have passed away, created in 1969 by the Permanent Organizing Committee. It lists individuals such as Robert E. Loftin, Dr. James E. McDonald, Ivan T. Sanderson, and Kenneth Arnold.

National UFO Conference Permanent Organizing Committee

A list of committee members is provided, with James W. Moseley as Permanent Chairman.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing study and investigation of UFO phenomena, the importance of UFO conferences like NUFOC in bringing researchers together, and the critical stance of the publication towards what it perceives as the scientific community's dismissive attitude towards UFOs. The editorial stance is one of advocating for open-minded inquiry and challenging established scientific paradigms when confronted with unexplained phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on the historical aspects of UFO research, the contributions of key figures in the field, and the persistent mystery surrounding the origins and nature of UFOs. The issue also touches upon broader scientific topics like space exploration and environmental concerns (greenhouse effect), framing them within the context of humanity's place in the universe and the potential for discovery.

This issue of "Publishers of Flying Saucer Digest" (likely a publication from the United Aerial Phenomena Agency) focuses on UFO sightings, with a cover headline highlighting a UFO presaging a storm in North Carolina. The issue is dated March 17th, though the specific year is not explicitly stated, it falls within the context of UFOlogy publications from the 1960s-1970s.

UFO Sighting in Bay City, Wisconsin

The first reported incident involves a woman named Plonsky and her children. Plonsky described an object as "nothing fuzzy or blurry about it," estimating its size to be as long as two barns. When she stopped her car to observe it, her car radio suddenly went out. After about fifteen seconds, the object disappeared straight up, leaving a vapor trail. Her car radio resumed functioning once the object was gone. Her employer investigated the site for landing marks but found none. An airplane was observed circling the area, possibly searching for something. Plonsky's 5-year-old daughter later drew a picture of a disc-shaped object, colored bright orange, consistent with her mother's testimony.

Two Startled By Low Flying Nocturnal Something (Bay City, Wisconsin)

Another report from Bay City, Wisconsin, details a frightening low-level UFO sighting by a 17-year-old girl and her friend on the evening of March 5th. The teenager, who wished to remain anonymous, described a large object with two bright white lights on one end and a flashing red light on the other, hovering about twenty feet above her vehicle around 10:30 P.M. She stated they heard nothing, indicating it wasn't an airplane or helicopter. The object was initially seen high in the sky, but as it moved towards them, the girls drove away. The object then hovered about twenty feet above their speeding car. They headed towards Red Wing, but the Pierce County Sheriff's Department received no reports of similar sightings that day.

UFO Presages Storm in North Carolina

Savannah and her husband reported a silent and wingless UFO sighting near King, North Carolina, on May 23rd, just before a severe thunderstorm. Around 9:00 P.M., as her husband was feeding animals, Savannah spotted the object over the mountain. The object, described as "huge" and lighting up Sauratown Mountain, moved slowly towards them. They watched it for ten minutes, at one point from as close as 100 feet. It turned near a large oak tree. The object had no wings but a rudder, and was described as "fiery red inside" with blue and white lights. The front end had yellow lights. Savannah heard a humming sound, likened to an air conditioner, but her husband did not. She estimated the object was "about as big as a house." She emphasized that it was not an aircraft or natural phenomenon, noting that lightning flashed on both sides of the object as it approached, and that it moved closer and closer.

RAF Interested in UFOs Over Chase, England

An item from the "Chase Post" on March 17th confirms that RAF Strike Command is "extremely interested" in a significant number of unexplained UFO sightings over the Chase area in England. In the past month, there were 38 sightings, with 26 over Rugeley and others in surrounding towns. This is a dramatic increase from the normal monthly average of four. John Hurley of the Unidentified Flying Objects Studies and Investigations is compiling a report for Strike Command, stating, "Something very strange is going on." He noted that these sightings cannot be attributed to aircraft, balloons, or constellations. In just two hours over Rugeley, 16 sightings were recorded. One involved a 12-year-old girl who, with two friends, saw a huge oval-shaped craft hovering at around 600 feet. The craft had green, blue, and white lights on the bottom and a small blue light that moved in and out. It made no noise while hovering but did when it moved off at speed, terrifying the girl. Similar sightings were reported by four police officers in Walsall and Willenhall. Descriptions of the craft were remarkably similar, with most sightings occurring after 10:30 P.M.

Additional Sightings in England

A Litchfield man reported a "cigar-shaped" object hovering over a Litchfield Church just before 8:00 A.M. Mr. Edwards described it as "huge" with a mushroom-shaped top and a long cigar shape underneath. On Saturday, March 12th, two men, Robert Brough and Andrew Onions, spotted a "cigar-shaped" object rise from behind trees near Rugeley Road in the Hazel Shade area.

Subscription Information

The final page contains an advertisement for "FLYING SAUCE DIGEST," described as one of the best UFO publications globally, publishing since 1968. It promises fantastic illustrations and up-to-date information. Subscribers receive two free UFO illustrations by artist Ron Pelger. Subscription options include 4 issues for $5.00 or 8 issues for $9.00, managed by the United Aerial Phenomena Agency.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently presents witness testimonies of unexplained aerial phenomena, emphasizing their strangeness, silence, and unusual characteristics (lights, shapes, vapor trails). There is a clear focus on the unexplained nature of these sightings, with a particular interest in official investigations, such as that of the RAF in England. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious reporting and investigation into UFO phenomena, encouraging reader engagement through subscription to their publication. The recurring themes include the electromagnetic effects of UFOs (radio interference), their association with weather events, and the detailed descriptions of craft shapes and behaviors.